Tag Archives: non-profit

I’ve been working here at Oxford House for just little over two years and I can attest to what a great organization it is!

Hardly a day goes by that I am not hearing an amazing story, or learning something new about myself about honesty, integrity, sweating the small stuff, and the list goes on and on!

So I’ve just now decided a small way I can give back. As soon as I’ve published this post, I am making a $22 donation to Oxford House in honour of its 22nd birthday here and I’m going to challenge you to do the same.

So…

if you’ve ever been helped by Oxford House, or you know someone who has, or you knew Ron MacMillan, Founder and past executive director of Oxford House, and want to donate in his name, or you know someone who is struggling with addiction or has lost their battle with addiction, and you just want to help someone else in their name, who is living in an Oxford House, will you consider donating today?

Wow – YYC Rocks for recovery raised $4,300!

Enough to provide a safe and sober Oxford home for two individuals for more than a year!

The energy and support at King’s Head Pub on Sunday, October 16th for YYC Rocks for Recovery was palpable.

Personally, and as a representative of Oxford House, I am so grateful to the TLB Group and its many volunteers who manned the door, sold wares, ran the auction, emceed the event, and who knows what else; King’s Head Pub, who provided all the food for volunteers; the Twenty-eight super talented bands who rocked the house down all afternoon and into the early hours of the morning; the amazing sponsors, the silent auction donors, and those who attended.

What a night!

I mean, how often can you get to see such high quality talent from so many musicians for $10 at the door these days? And each and every band played for free, played for Oxford House, played for the love of their craft – many sticking around after their set to support their fellow musicians.

Tracey, my coworker and I volunteered for a shift at the door early in the afternoon. The TLB volunteers were so welcoming and took the time to explain what we needed to do. It didn’t take me long to hand over the cover-charge-taking and tracking duties to Tracey who is the Financial Coordinator at Oxford House and way more proficient at these things than I am. That left me free to do the hand stamping, free haircut coupon distribution and the directing of musicians and volunteers to where they needed to go. The volunteer door shift was a blast. One could feel the good vibes that came in with attendees.

Much to my pleasant surprise, my long-time friend Carmen whom I ran into by chance the day before on 17th Avenue, showed up with her niece Stephanie to support the event. Carmen bid on several auction items, the last of which lit her face up like a Christmas tree when she won it. She can’t wait to take her friend from Montana on a guided fly fishing tour on the Bow River.

Mike Robertson, who donated the package for the auction stopped by to chat with us and was thrilled that Carmen was so happy about her upcoming fishing adventure. “I’ve been in recovery for thirteen years,” Mike told us. “And when I heard about YYC Rocks for Recovery I just had to do my little part.”

And that same spirit of generosity permeated the entire event. I was so blown away by everyone involved – it was ‘community in action’, coming together as one to rock the world of individuals in recovery.

Enjoy the photo gallery below

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And now a little taste of the stage and people thoroughly enjoying themselves on the dance floor…

Meet Earl, Oxford House’s Program Coordinator and Tracey, Finance Coordinator and Vince, Support Worker and yup, that’s me at the end as we appear on our new Oxford House Facebook page!

See that yellow oval circle I drew around the sign up button? That’s where you would click on our Facebook page to sign up to receive awesome emails from us. And that’s just what I’m asking you to do. Sign up and like our page. You can also find us on twitter @OxfordHouseAB!

It just blows my mind that as of today, I’ve been at Oxford House for 271 days and I’m feeling very grateful to be here. I’ve participated in two events. Arranged for three plaques to be given to generous funders. Developed and implemented a monthly donor program. Sent out a media release for needed items during the holidays. Created an annual report. Thanked countless folks for their generosity. Pulled and analyzed loads of data and…and can you tell I’ve been in up to my armpits in stats???

Yet stats are only what we use to back up our incredible stories and that, as you know if you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, is what really turns my crank. Because stories are what connect us.

Like Janice who told me in a matter-of-fact way, “I’ve been a low-life my whole life.” Heart-breaking words, but it’s not unusual for people to feel this way when they first come to Oxford House.

“I love it here,” she said while we chatted on the phone.

Believe it or not, it’s also something she has to get used to – living in a sober house, free from the pressure of people enticing her to have a drink, that is.

Last year Janice was in a serious car accident that resulted in brain damage leaving the whole left side of her body numb.

She spent a month of her four-month stay at the hospital in a coma. “It was a wakeup call.”

More determined than ever, Janice signed up for a six-week treatment program and then applied for housing with us.

Since living here, Janice is grateful to have a place to call home. “It is hard sometimes, I feel lonely.” But she’s working on that too, having recently signed up for an art journal course and registering with a job placement agency.

Janice is not a low-life. And we will stick by her until she knows this for herself and is ready to move on.

I think we can all relate to Janice in the sense that we’ve all had wake up calls, we’ve all felt lonely and deficient in some way. I know there have certainly been times when I’ve felt that I didn’t quite measure up.

Our stories and your stories and their stories form a beautiful tapestry of our collective human experience.

And that’s why we want to share our stories with you. And we really, really want you to share your passions and stories with us.

Essentially, I am the fundraiser, community engager, the Talker as one of my co-workers recently declared, and whatever else is required to help out when needed.

And I am happy to do it!

It would be somewhat of an understatement if I were to say I love it there, but I’m not quite sure how to say it differently.

All I know is that the people I work with were quick to welcome me to the Oxford family, and their passion and commitment for the organization and the work they do is inspiring.

They make me want to do a really, really good job!

For those of you who do not know, Oxford House is a network of 30 houses in Calgary and Edmonton that provide homes for over 140 men and women who are in recovery from addictions.

The concept is simple. Contribute your share of the household’s expenses and chores. Stay clean and sober. Join the workforce and take your life back.

Recovery is possible in an Oxford Home. And men and women in recovery benefit greatly from the peer-to-peer support they find in each other and the support they receive from dedicated staff who have lived experience, most of whom are also alumni of an Oxford home!

It takes hands to build a house. It takes hearts to build a home.

Speaking of home. It’s been the talk around our proverbial water cooler lately.

Our Oxford family has really embraced the word home.

Because we know that a house is just four walls. It keeps out the weather.

It provides security from the outside world. It gives you a place to be when there’s nowhere else to go.

But a home…

that’s where friends and family gather.

A home is where you can put your feet up and relax.

Home is where you sit around the table, eat a meal together, share your hopes and your dreams, ask for advice. Cry until you laugh. Laugh until you cry.

Home is where you can challenge others to be their best and also be challenged yourself toward the same end.

Yeah, sure, sometimes it hurts, but it comes from people who care and that makes it a precious gift.

Yes, home has become a theme; in our houses and at the office. Whenever we talk about programs or events or gatherings, we think about how to create a sense of home.

What images are conjured up when you think of home? What’s your favourite childhood memory of home? Does it seem like I’m picking your brain for more images of home? So what? We’re all friends here, right? ❤

Born from an idea; a belief that an organization’s mission is most successfully carried out by engaging a healthy and vibrant community, The Other Bottom Line is finally launched!

IT’S FINALLY HERE!!!

It is an exciting new chapter. It is the beginning of a journey in the direction my heart longs to go.

It’s about inspiring others to use their gifts and skills to make a positive impact in their calling.

It’s about acting from a place of passion while inviting meaning and purpose to one’s own life.

It’s about working together with driven, like-minded people, cherishing and employing all the gifts around the table toward one common purpose.

It’s about facilitating conversation. It’s about authentic and meaningful relationships. And yes – it is also about offering my services on a project-by-project basis to local organizations in the form of term contracts and consulting.

It’s an exciting new chapter and it’s scary as hell!

I’m filled with excitement and fear – what a rush!

I know I’m taking a risk.

My brain says just go get a normal job and behave like a grown-up.

My heart urges me to press on because I believe with all my heart that I can make a difference by contributing my experience, expertise, skills and gifts toward something I am passionate about; engaging community.

I’m excited to see how The Other Bottom Line will grow and evolve

I was nervous to launch. I went back and forth with content ideas – to the point of madness. In the end, I chose to simplify The Other Bottom Line site with a preference of letting it grow organically with input from others as they join the discussion. It goes without saying that your input and ideas are warmly welcomed today and in the coming weeks and months.

In time, I hope to feature guest bloggers, create capacity for, and empower organizations to confidently engage their communities, and empower individual community members to use their gifts. Who knows where else this could lead!

(OK Deep breath)

I am deeply grateful for all the encouragement I have received from you, my on-line community. I have been inspired every time one of you has taken a step in faith toward your own dreams. So it is with a mixture of joy and nervousness that I share The Other Bottom Line first with this community of bloggers and dear friends who have both willingly and unknowingly conspired to bring me to this point.

You enrich and bless my life more than words can say. For this I thank you.

So without further ado, let me present to you The Other Bottom Line. Please click on the image below.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney

The Other Bottom Line is the name of a blog I hope to introduce to you soon. The name is based on the premise that money is not an organization’s only bottom line.

I believe that a healthy organization is a group of individuals that work together toward a common vision. In order for an organization to make a real, sustainable impact, it needs to engage its entire community.

A plant fights for life by overcoming all odds and reaching for sunlight through a cement barrier in my parking lot.In the same way, when a community is engaged and working toward a common purpose, anything is possible.

An organization succeeds when impassioned people motivate others to become engaged by inviting them to participate in fulfilling its mission.

The Other Bottom Line will be a resource and a place to discuss non-profit workers, those they serve and the communities who are engaged with them.

Below are the beginnings of the foundational pieces for The Other Bottom Line. Let me know what you think!

~

Vision: An engaged community

Mission: building capacity in non-profit organizations by encouraging them to invite like-minded people to become engaged with them.

Philosophy:

When an organization’s community is engaged, heart, soul and mind; the resources to support their mission will follow

When two or more people are passionate about a cause, project, mission, etc., and they work together using and valuing each other’s individual gifts and abilities, you create an engaged community. It makes sense to seek out those with a common heart and vision and employ their gifts toward a common purpose.

There really is no point in chasing after highly skilled people or wealthy donors in the hope that you will be able to convince them your cause is worthy if they don’t share your organization’s passion to fulfill its mission . Why spend your time coercing someone to believe in something that doesn’t interest them?

Rather encourage them to engage in an area that relates to their own passion and move on – after all, philanthropy is bigger than just one cause.

The organization’s mission should apply to everyone; from leadership and front-line workers to volunteers, funders and clients

Most organizations have a mission statement. Often their mission is thought of by staff as applying only to their clients/program users. The mission should apply to everyone.

For example I worked at an organization who looked after homeless people. Their mission statement was to mobilize the church and work with the community to compassionately respond to the needs of the less fortunate.

This mission was relevant for everyone from the board of directors and staff to the clients, volunteers and supporters. All were called upon to empower others to fulfill the organization’s mission.

Achieving sustainability through diversity of talents and funding sources

If every person has the same perspective most of the people are not necessary. It is an amazing thing to behold an organization that employs and values gifts and abilities at all levels from a diverse community made up of people with varying backgrounds and experiences.

Adopt the tested and best practices of others – there’s no need to re-invent the wheel

Non-profits need to, and often do, share with and learn from other organizations. If an organization does something well; it should share it with others. This benefits the greater community.

Keeping it to themselves does not give them an advantage. Being generous with information is its own reward.

And when an organization is diving into new waters, they would do well to talk to those who have been there before while also getting feedback from their engaged community.

It’s not about the organization; it’s about their community

What a shame it is when an organization focusses on its own needs over the needs and desires of its engaged community. ESGEE Musings illustrates this well in this post that compares the customer service provided by two different airlines.

Too often organizations deem the latest technology or internal processes as more important than the experiences of those who want to be engaged with them.

This can result in their supporting community being unsure of how they can contribute and wondering if they bring any value at all to the organization. If organizations do not endeavor to understand the heart’s desire of their community or honour their contributions, someone who does will scoop them away.

It’s not about the organization. It’s about the community and facilitating a way for people who care, to engage with the organization without overwhelming them with difficult systems.